FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2024
CONTACT: Karina Diaz, Hudson County Executive’s Office
PHONE: 201-795-6200
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Yesterday, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, Chairman Anthony Romano, and the Board of County Commissioners celebrated National Caribbean Heritage Month with a flag raising at the Historic Brennan Courthouse. The founder and president of the Jersey City West Indian/Caribbean Carnival Association, Inc. Committee received a proclamation from Hudson County, and the Class of 2024 Grand Marshal and the JCCACF JC Carnival Directors received citations.
“During Hudson County’s first annual National Caribbean Heritage Month flag raising, we recognize and celebrate the culture, tradition, and heritage of the Caribbean-American residents that call Hudson County home,” said Hudson County Executive Guy. “Representing over 20 islands, this flag inspires each individual who walks by the Brennan Courthouse to continue to uplift diverse cultures and celebrate the achievements, aspirations, and resiliency of the thousands of people across the county with Caribbean heritage.”
“It is truly my pleasure to join Hudson County in raising our National Caribbean American Heritage Month flag here at the Brennan Courthouse. This our first flag raising because we finally have a flag that represents every Caribbean Island and every Caribbean American person. It is our duty to celebrate and promote this flag as a symbol of unity and educate the community about our rich culture from the Caribbean,” said Cheryl DB Murphy, Founder and President of the Jersey City West Indian/Caribbean Carnival Association, Inc. Committee. “We invite everyone to join us for our events and activities held throughout this month for National Caribbean American Heritage Month and in July leading up to Carnival on Saturday, July 27th.”
The following individuals received citations as part of the Class of 2024: Dawn Odom – Isle of Jersey City; Andrew Otto – Antigua & Barbuda; Christopher C. Murphy, III – Bermuda; Chantal Bohomme-Felix – Haiti; Elizabeth Liz Dicker – Isle of Garden State; Robyn Gorman – Isle of Hudson County; Francine Campbell Hakim; Nevis, Cuba and Jamaica; Angela Huggins – Isle of Jersey City; Carlye Adams – Guyana; Ryan Lynton – Guyana; Victoria Branker, Jr. Grand Marshal – Trinidad & Tabago.
The following individuals received citations as JCCACF CF Carnival Directors: Ambassador Commissioner Cheryl DB Murphy, Founder CEO; Rosalyn Waters-Maxwell, Grand Marshal Director; Roy Sanderson, Parade Director; Gordon Nesta Callender, Technical Director; GM’17 Designer Chairman Tyrone Chablis, Carnival Meets Fashion Director; and GM’21 Darryl Spence, Financial Director.
In June of 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71 recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. After passing the Senate, the Proclamation was issued by President George W. Bush on June 6, 2006.
For photos from the flag raising, click here.